From Conflict to Consensus to the Ecosystem Approach

Abstract

"In 1998/99 The Thanet Coast Natura 2000 site was an early example of where stakeholders participated in a deliberately designed and facilitated consensus building process. The process was used to help stakeholders explore issues and agree the content of a European marine site management scheme for 28 miles of the Kent Coast in England. The process transformed a situation of tension to active co-operation and a new partnership project that helped to pioneer further innovative approaches to coastal management. The management scheme is being reviewed and the process to do this and agree the contents of the next scheme, has again led the way. This time stakeholder dialogue has been used to take a new and integrated approach to management called the Ecosystems Approach."